The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-05-28
CHAPTER V.

at look mighty strange how dat boss he
stole from Marse Woo3sley and he not ak
fer i'm when 1Se dar.
jeff did not ike Woodsley, that was evil
dent, and now he began to show his sus-
picion of the honesty of that young man.
Wait" said John, as JEFF was leading
| the animal away. Il will myself return the
animal to Its owner"
John Eddles knew that the time had
come when it was not safe to go unarmed;
consequently before he started he had his
revolvers buckled around him under his
coat.
Taking another horse-s very fine one
to return with, he proceeded on his way
toward the Woodsley plantation.
While travelling the Wire Road, his chin
resting on his breast, AMI feeling sick at
heart over the gloomy prospects before him,
he was suddenly brought to a halt by a
long haired, lank specimen of humanity.
astride sorry mule, appearing directly III
his path. This peculiar individual had on a
suit of home spun clothes that had been
made without any attempt at a tit. They
were wholly for use and not for ornament.
Across the saddle bow he carried an anti
quated single barrel shotgun, that was more
dangerous to its owner than anything he
might shoot at, or else it belied its looks.
"Howdy:"
The individuals appearance was SO sud-
den, so strikingly ludicrous, that John
caught his breath before answering.
Good morning, sir2'
What be yer?"
What am l? What do you mean?'
Be you Fed?
That is none of your business was the
indignant answer.
Look hyar. stranger" and he twisted
his neck and squnted one eye to look wise,
3" l reckon you be !"
Well, lust reckon on"
Nv har d yer git that thar tother hoss?' the
strange man asked. eying the horse, aud
paying no attention to Eddles' remark
That is Mr. Woodsleys horse. I'm TAX
ing it home"
"WoodsIey, Woodsley; that's Their Teller
what lives in the brown house back yander,
amt it"
Yes he IS the man"
Then yer must be his friend, heh?"
Why Yes, of course.
"Whoop- ee.' he yelled, and loudly too,
when John admitted the fact. 1t was evi-
dent he believed him to be one of the gang,
or friendly to them.
Gimme yer hand. And he rode up along
side and extended his long, skinny, dirty
hand to John, who was too. much gentle
man to refuse to take it. He gave the
stranger hearty grasp.
Yer man is not ter hum. I jess came
frum thar. He's down on ther river with
ther boys
He Is, eh?" And John began to show
some interest.
yes, | was thar at Their house last night,
an they done tole me that he was gone
thar
John Eddles was no hypOcrite, but here
was chance to get some information of
! value Just now, and he could not afford to
| let any nice sense of feeling prevent him
from getting it, consequently he COM
menced to adroitly question his new &C
| Iuaintance.
DO you belong?" he asked.
Jess as good. Is gwine ter go an jine
now"
II think some of it"
| Better go with me.
| Il don't exactly know what they are going
to do
Coin ter hev money, bosses. good
! clothes, an not cost anythin' nuther. My
old woman an young 'uns i'll live high,
| yer can reckin.
How will you get them?'
! Huh Don't you see this ere gun? We
uns viii walk up to some Nv these big uns
! plantations an pie lner Things out. hey
| don't peep-ef they does, they die. :"
Have you already got anything that
way"
Muffin but this ere mule, and Is
gwine to trade him off for good boss
! when | find the chap that's got one I'd
| take your II thar eff yer wasn't one of us"
| Johns ire began to rise. but he was not
! done with the man yet, and h. controlled
! his feelings.
Who stayed with you last night at
| " oodsley's2' he asked.
| Two of our men. | should have went
! down with EN-, but they was huntin a
! couple ev niggers what got away from camp,
! an they didn't 20 on down ter Their river. -
John made no remark. He was listen
ing His open mouthed neighbor was max
| ing himself quite interesting. He paid no
attention to Eddles' silence but continued:
Thar's an ole man. Eggles er Iggles, or
| sumthin'g of that kind, that lives over in
| var way" pointing northwest. that's rich
| ole cuss-lots ey niggers, good bosses, an a
| heap Of gold hid. | want er git thar befo
| they run him. Yer'd b tter go long"
! hey are going to r n him, are they"
eyer right thar"
! When?"
Soon ter morrer, / re 'kon."
| Perhaps to- morrow nigl z"
| reckon.
viii young Mr.. Woousley be there?"
! Their men told me he would. He's some
struck arter Their ole man purity gal Yer'd
! better 90.
| TTo pF coNTTN-rrrD